Even Greater Things - Reflection

The reflection I wrote and delivered at our May 2005 service at MMUC.

Good Morning.

I’m Richard and I’m a keen member of the Contemporary Service Planning Team. Not only is the team a great bunch of people but we get to plan these services.

The way it works is as a group we look at the Bible Readings suggested in the lectionary which lists specific readings for each week, and then we come up with a Theme based on the reading and design the service around that theme. It’s actually a lot of fun and we are looking to involve more people. So talk to one of us if you would be interested.

When we looked at the reading for this week, the part that really jumped out for me was Jesus telling us that we can do “Even Greater Things”.

There were two aspects of that passage that intrigued me. One was the excellent leadership that Jesus was displaying and the second was the question “could we actually do even greater things than he did?”

Leadership first. I’ve been interested in leadership since I joined 4-H as a teenager. 4-H is a great program. Anyone know what it’s motto is? Learn to do by doing. When you are a member of a 4-H Club, you elect a Club President and other executive members and the members run the club with some guidance from a couple of adult leaders. I was President of a 4-H Club when I was about 15 and ever since leadership has been a keen interest of mine.

One of the classic signs of a great leader is their belief in the people they lead. Sir Winston Churchill is recognized as one of the greatest leaders of all time. In June 1940 when Hitler had taken most of Europe and many in Great Britain were ready to give up, Churchill stood up and said “we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender,” He believed in his people so much , that they in turn, believed in themselves and saved their island and perhaps the world.

Think of the great leaders in your life. Perhaps a great teacher or boss or coach – likely one of the things that made them great – was their belief in you.

Jesus believes in us. He tell us we can do even greater things! If Jesus was the boss on the television show “The Apprentice”, he would be saying “Your Hired” every week instead of Donald Trump’s “Your Fired”. I’d much rather had Jesus as a boss because I could always count on him believing in me. That’s the kind of teacher or boss or coach I want and that’s the kind of Leadership Jesus provides.

He believes that we can do “even greater things” especially when we believe in him.

What are the “even greater things”? It boggles the mind at first to think of any we could do that is greater than the works of Jesus. But after a lot of thinking, I developed some ideas.

I don’t expect Robin has ever delivered a sermon on what Jesus didn’t do. But I would like to take a few minutes and explore some things that Jesus never did.

Jesus never played a musical instrument. He never was in a band nor sang in a church choir. Our band and the music program here at Marshall brings a lot of joy to many people.

He never wrote a song. Jesus never play a part in a musical production. I know for many people – the M & M Kids productions are unforgettable.

Jesus didn’t have the opportunity or challenge or joy of being a parent or grandparent. The most important role we can have in life.

Jesus didn’t have the responsibility for caring for elderly parents – such as the example we heard about at our last service.

Jesus was never a doctor or a nurse or a paramedic or a fireman or a policeman and all the challenges and “care” these professions have for our lives.

Jesus never committed himself to being the spiritual guide for several hundred families over a number of years.

Of course Jesus did inspire some of greatest music makers and compelling theater productions. He inspired countless caring parents and children, compassionate healthcare and protection workers and committed clergy.

In his message this morning, Jesus leadership goal is to inspire us to do “Even Greater Things” with our gifts and talents. And as our slide show this morning has shown us – we can – when we believe in him!